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United States Patent | 5,772,732 |
James ,   et al. | June 30, 1998 |
A monitoring apparatus for alerting an operator to the need to change a temperature control system filter includes a mechanism for selecting and setting a primary period of filter use to assure replacement before the filter becomes clogged; a mechanism for counting out the selected primary period; a mechanism for activating a signalling device to signal the operator to replace the filter, absent replacement of the filter; a mechanism for sensing replacement of the filter; and a mechanism for resetting the mechanism for counting to begin the counting out the selected primary period again upon replacement of the filter. The apparatus preferably additionally includes a mechanism for counting out a secondary period measured from the end of the primary period; and a mechanism for shutting down the system at the end of the secondary period absent replacement of the filter. A method of monitoring the filter of an air temperature control system with this apparatus includes the steps of the operator selecting and setting a primary period of filter use appropriate to assure filter replacement before the filter becomes clogged; the apparatus counting out the selected primary period; the apparatus activating the signalling device at the end of the primary period to signal the operator to replace the filter.
Inventors: | James; Terry Lynn (300 Hwy. 66, Conway, SC 29526); Buckley; Tommy M. (3735 Limerick Rd., Myrtle Beach, SC 29577) |
Appl. No.: | 757962 |
Filed: | November 25, 1996 |
Current U.S. Class: | 95/25; 55/DIG.34; 95/26; 96/407; 96/417; 96/424 |
Intern'l Class: | B01D 046/00 |
Field of Search: | 95/26,25 55/271,272,274,DIG. 34 |
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